AI Agents Quickstart

Skyvern lets AI coding assistants (Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Codex) control browsers, extract data, and run workflows.

Copy the prompt below into your AI coding agent and you’ll have a running automation in minutes.

Looking to self-host instead? See the local installation guide for full setup instructions.

1. Get your API key

Go to app.skyvern.com/settings and get your API key.

2. Give this prompt to your AI coding agent

Paste your API key below, then copy the prompt into your AI coding assistant.

It will:

1. install the Skyvern Python/Typescript SDK
2. Ask what you want to automate (say “Go to Hacker News and get the top comment of the #1 post” for example)
3. Write the code to a file, and run it.

3. Next steps

Connect the MCP server

Give your AI coding assistant direct browser control through natural language — no SDK code needed.

Claude Code

claude mcp add-json skyvern '{"type":"http","url":"https://api.skyvern.com/mcp/","headers":{"x-api-key":"YOUR_SKYVERN_API_KEY"}}' --scope user

Cursor

Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "Skyvern": {
      "type": "streamable-http",
      "url": "https://api.skyvern.com/mcp/",
      "headers": {
        "x-api-key": "YOUR_SKYVERN_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Windsurf

Add to ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "Skyvern": {
      "type": "streamable-http",
      "url": "https://api.skyvern.com/mcp/",
      "headers": {
        "x-api-key": "YOUR_SKYVERN_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Codex

Add to ~/.codex/config.toml:

[mcp_servers.skyvern]
url = "https://api.skyvern.com/mcp/"

[mcp_servers.skyvern.http_headers]
x-api-key = "YOUR_SKYVERN_API_KEY"

Keep building

Build a Workflow

Chain multiple steps into a single automation with loops, conditionals, and data passing

Extract Structured Data

Define a JSON schema to get typed output from your automations

Handle Logins

Store credentials securely for sites that require authentication

Full MCP Reference

All 33 tools, config options, local mode, and troubleshooting

CLI & Skills

Browser commands, workflow management, and the skill system

Use Webhooks

Get notified when tasks complete instead of polling